Presidency to work under two authorities

Updated on: Thursday, October 14, 2010

One institution, two systems — that is what the Presidency University stands for.

The college has graduated into a university by an Act and got its new vice-chancellor Amita Chatterjee. But the existing undergraduate students remain college students under Calcutta University, and will continue to remain so till they pass out. The institution will thus have two authorities — the vice-chancellor for the new university while Amitava Chatterjee will continue to remain the college principal. The dual system will continue till the transformation from college to university is complete.

The new vice-chancellor will shape up the university after she takes charge in November. She will be instrumental in enforcing the Act and statutes of the new university, and recruit teachers while shaping up the board of studies, faculty council and also the highest policy-making body of the university.

But Amita Chatterjee has a tough task cut out for her. Expectations are high that she will play an impartial role in teacher recruitment, hiring the best brains in teaching without any political interference. Fact is, quite a few existing teachers do not conform to the eligibility criteria, such as a PhD degree, as stipulated in the recent UGC guidelines to all varsities. In that case, the selection committee has to keep the norms flexible considering their work experience and their administrative abilities. A section of academics fears that quality will be compromised in the process.

Besides, the new vice-chancellor has to make peace with the non-teaching employees who were not too keen on the college’s transformation into a university. And more, she has to enthuse her colleagues to prepare an updated syllabus and pioneer institutional support to research and development that Presidency College teachers had to pursue on their own.

“The vice chancellor will shape up the university whereas the principal will continue to ensure smooth functioning of the present students,” explained higher education minister Sudarshan Roychowdhury.

She will assume charge on November 1. (TNN)

Presidency to work under two authorities

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